Southern Indiana is home to some of nature’s most amazing treasures—over 4,000 caves, stretching for hundreds of miles beneath the surface of the Hoosier state. A new documentary from WTIU transports viewers to a world that few will experience in person. Journey Indiana: Underground premieres Thursday, March 6 at 8pm on WTIU and will be available to stream for free on the PBS app.
In this interview, WTIU director and producer Jason Pear discusses his experiences making Journey Indiana: Underground:
1. What sparked the idea for Journey Indiana: Underground? Was there a specific moment or story that inspired the documentary?
Indiana is home to thousands of caves, ranging from large, well-known show caves to tiny, remote caves that few have ever entered. We realized that while these spaces exist all around us, many people will never have the opportunity—or ability—to experience them firsthand.
Journey Indiana: Underground was created to bring these worlds to light, allowing audiences to experience the wonder of Indiana’s vast and varied cave systems from the comfort of their homes.
2. What were some of the biggest challenges of filming underground?
Filming underground presents a set of unique challenges, especially when working in near-total darkness. Traditional lighting setups can be difficult to use in tight or unstable spaces, and too much artificial light can ruin the natural atmosphere of the environment.
We used Sony’s FX3 cinema camera almost exclusively for Journey Indiana: Underground. Thanks to its incredible low-light performance, we were able to tell our story in a way that felt raw, authentic, and—at times—visually stunning.
3. Was there a particular location that stood out to you, whether because of its beauty, history, or sheer challenge to film?
Wyandotte Cave was definitely a standout location, both in terms of its deep historical significance and the contrast between Little Wyandotte and Big Wyandotte.
Little Wyandotte felt incredibly intimate, with tighter passageways and a more enclosed atmosphere that created a real sense of mystery and exploration.
Big Wyandotte, on the other hand, was a completely different beast, and the sheer size and scale of the chambers were breathtaking.
The combination of beauty, scale, and history made Wyandotte Cave one of the most unforgettable locations we visited.
4. Is there a moment during filming that particularly stuck with you? Was it because it was thrilling, eerie, awe-inspiring, or something else entirely?
One moment that really stuck with me was just inside the entrance of Endless Cave when we encountered hundreds of bats. It was the first time I had ever seen that many in the wild, and it was absolutely mesmerizing.
That moment summed up the thrill of underground exploration for me—stepping into the unknown, encountering nature, and being completely in the moment. It’s something I’ll never forget.
5. What do you hope viewers take away from watching this documentary?
Indiana’s caves are truly remarkable—both in their natural beauty and in the history they hold. Many people don’t realize the incredible underground landscapes that exist so close to home, and I hope this program sheds some light on just how special they are.
Beyond appreciation, I also hope it inspires people to explore these caves for themselves—though a trip to one of Indiana’s show caves, state parks, or even venturing into wild caves with the help of one of Indiana’s many local grottos (caving clubs).
Watch a trailer: